How do you wash a duvet?

[BertieBotts]

I'm guessing I can't stick one in my normal 6kg machine? It's a double size.

I got a bee in my bonnet about cleaning my duvet when I was heavily pregnant. Wouldn't fit in the washing machine so decided to wash it in a bath full of detergent instead . I have no idea what I was thinking.

It weighed a ton and took a few days to dry. It did smell lovely though but I will definitely be going to the laundrette next time!

I got a bee in my bonnet about cleaning my duvet when I was heavily pregnant. Wouldn't fit in the washing machine so decided to wash it in a bath full of detergent instead . I have no idea what I was thinking.

It weighed a ton and took a few days to dry. It did smell lovely though but I will definitely be going to the laundrette next time!

I can get my 10.5 tog into my 7 kg washer, so give it a try at home first, Bertie.

I take it you're not talking about feather duvets here? Can I risk that?

you can, I did in the batch I washed recently, and dried it on the line, with a final warm tumble to fluff it up.

It's possible that the down will eventually break down or make dust, too early to say.

Thanks for that info, CremeEggThief. Will try washing my 10tog, having recently cut up my 13 tog to make mattress topper, (small enough now to home-wash) after launderette returned it with over-sewing coloured mid-grey. I bought a summer 4.5 tog, which I hope will be comfortable used with (newly clean) 10tog for winter.

Discussing this subject with friends, I was surprised how many people had not tried washing duvets, so thanks to OP for asking the question.

I've got a 9.5 tog. I might give that a go in the machine as the nearest laundrette is a zillion miles away.

If you do decide to wash it yourself in a washing machine, put a clean tennis ball in the drum with it! The movement in the drum with it helps to stop the filling inside the duvet from forming clumps :)

I would wash by instructions exactly on the duvets own label. If something goes wrong you could take it back to where you bought it from if within a reasonable time of purchase (1-2 years).

My duvet is so damn old I don't think I bought it.
In fact it is SO old that is if from the Diary of an Edwardian Lady tie in stuff. That was about 30 years ago!

I might have to take a trip to John Lewis

Goodness Pipbin that is a little old!

John Lewis sales ends tomorrow - you could get a new one still online, save a bit of money, and then have a jolly good refreshed sleep under a nice new duvet :)

I regularly wash duvets in the bath. I use washing up liquid because it rinses easily. I give them a final soak with disinfectant. I lay two mop handles across the bath and put the duvet on top to drip. The worst of the wet comes out quite quickly doing this. Then I put them outside to dry putting them in a big plastic tub to drag through the house without dripping on the floor. I enjoy this so much that I am gradually replacing the duvets with blankets and bedspreads that will wash in my machine.